“Roll on, deep and dark blue ocean, roll. Ten thousand fleets sweep over thee in vain. Man marks the earth with ruin, but his control stops with the shore.” ~ Lord Byron

Blogging Slacker

Guys I have failed! Utterly FAILED in my writing duties! I have talked, and talked. AND TALKED about George’s Island, yet I have not given it the true glory it so deserves!

HOW HOW could I be such a slacker?

I am going to fix that NOW!

Having escaped for a weekend adventure on the South Shore and seen a spectacular sunrise, I was ready for the next phase of the trip, the reason we go down in the first place. Our annual trip to the Boston Harbor Islands.

Boston Harbor Islands

The Boston Harbor Islands are comprised of thirty-four Islands and peninsulas. With gorgeous views of the city and surrounding towns, you can take a ferry from Long Wharf in Boston, The Hull Ferry Port, or from the Shipyard in Hingham. You can also privately charter a boat, or kayak out to certain Islands.

Each island offers something different, from exploring Fort Warren on George’s Island, walking the trails on Spectacle, or camping on Bumpkin. There are also loads of activities from old fashioned baseball games, to yoga, to looking for sea glass, there is literally an island for everyone! To channel Oprah, “You get an island and you get an island and YOU get an Island.”

But seriously I really do want an island! But I digress….

George’s Island

Hingham Shipyard offers a ferry service to several of the Harbor Islands, saving residence and visitors on the South Shore a trip into Boston. Starbucks in hand we “walked the plank” to board the boat.

The ferry ride is about a half hour and makes stops at two other islands before arriving at George’s Island.

The island itself is comprised of thirty-nine acres with a further intertidal zone of fourteen acres.

It has a beachy area, that while you can wade into, swimming is not recommended. There is also a welcome center where you can buy souvenirs as well as food and a large grassy areas where people can lay out and picnic.

From the West side, the island has a perfect view of the Boston skyline, and from the East you can see Boston Lighthouse.

Fort Warren

Fort Warren is a civil war era fort constructed between 1833 and 1861 and is named after Joseph Warren, an American Revolutionary War hero who sent Paul Revere on his infamous ride. The fort was built to not only defend Boston during the Civil War, but was also used as a Confederate prison. It was in use through the end of World War II when it was permanently decommissioned in 1947.

Built in a pentagonal shape which was unusual at the time, it was designed to best use the island’s terrain. It was part of the military’s third defense system of US fortification also known as seacoast defense.

Prior to the use of airplanes, America’s shores could only be breached by ship, which made coastal forts a sound economical alternative to other military defense systems. it was the fifth largest of the forty-two third defense forts. Made of granite, much of the original fort still stands today.

Exploring Fort Warren

Having officially been declared a historical site, in 1961 Fort Warren was renovated and reopened to the public. Literally nothing is off limits making the fort seem like an adult playground as you explore the tunnels, and secret passageways that are scattered along the corridors. While the weapons have been removed, even the gun emplacements are open, offering spectacular views from atop the fort. There is even a ghost, The Lady in Black, who folklore says haunts one of the darkest passageways in the fort.

One of my favorite sections is near the front of the fort where you literally have to squeeze through a window sized opening. Once through, it opens up into a dark passageway that you can stand up in and explore. It is at once creepy and incredibly cool.

Despite the vast size, you can easily walk around the whole island in a couple hours. And the fact that very little is limited makes it a fun and exciting place to visit. Every time I go, I discover something different and new.

This visit we spent a lot of time in the kitchens and the barracks. Along the way we discovered some birds that had just hatched…

And when we stopped for our picnic with gorgeous views of Boston lighthouse we were greeted with lots and lots of seagulls.

Including some that were a bit greedy trying to take our food.

It wasn’t just perfect, but also one of my favorite ways to spend a Summer’s day in Boston.

Have you ever been to George’s Island or any of the other Harbor Islands? Do you like to explore old forts? How has your Summer gone? As always I love to hear from you guys!

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Published by K.M. Sutton

I am a country girl living on the Upper East Side of the concrete jungle. My friends call me a modern day Renaissance woman. I have dabbled in a little bit of everything, from being a yoga instructor to holistic chef, to skating coach, to glorified nanny, to student. I am a self admitted coffee junkie. A wannabe mermaid. A wanderluster who dreams of other countries. A fashionista who really does need a bigger bank account. But most important of all, I dream of living in a bungalow by the ocean and being a published writer (in style of course) sipping coffee in the morning and a martini in the evening. I love to meet my readers, so feel free to comment or email me. Happy reading!
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6 thoughts on “Wanderlusting: George’s Island”

Yaaassss, I was waiting for a post from you! Every time I see your pictures I think to myself “she would be the BEST travel partner!” George’s Island looks incredible and your white skirt is just the cutest! Thanks for sharing! xo

Hehe I have been slacking horribly, hopefully now that Summer has ended (Whaaaaaa) I can get to a more regular schedule 🙂 Awe you are the sweetest! I absolutely love traveling AND I am type A so it is perfect lol. It is one of my favorite places! Awe thank you! Thank you for your sweet words and for reading! ❤

OMG Kate! I can’t believe you were in Boston *cries* We were SO CLOSE!!!! ❤ I can't believe I've lived in MA all this time and have never gone to any of the harboring islands!!! I'm crazy, flat out crazy! Although today they were offering FREE ferry rides over to the islands!!! Except of course the catch was that the times were between the hours of 9AM-6PM…..like hello?!?! What about us people that are stuck in offices 9-5….sigh! But I'm still determined to make a trip out there- Fort Warren sounds like my absolute cup of tea with the dark secret passageways, THATS the stuff I'm into…eerie but cool. That'll for sure be my first stop I make once I actually get over and visit! I have to ask for Andrew's sake….the islands are solely just islands? correct? like no food stands or anything…. LOL Also, you look so good in your cute little island hopping outfit!!!!!

I know! So close yet so far! My sister-in-laws family lives on the South shore so I stayed with them for a few days.
You HAVE to go! Maybe this fall if you are free we can plan a trip? They run at least until Columbus day. Oh my gosh free ferry day is INSANE! We did it last year! Oh my manta!
Yes you have too! It is so cool you would love it!
So the islands all have different things. George’s Island does have a food stand (we usually bring our own and picnic) and I think Spectacle does, but not sure. They do have bathrooms though! Like actual working not a port-a-pottie you can flush it toilet lol. Awe thanks so much sweets! ❤